By Lucky Isibor
The Africa Network for Environment and Economic Justice (ANEEJ) has stepped up efforts in rallying Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and media in Edo State in the effective use of the Freedom of Information Act (FOI Act), intimating them on the use of the law in requesting information from public institutions and private sector entities utilising public funds.
Speaking at a one day Strategy Meeting on the Implementation of the Freedom of Information Act in Nigeria, held in Benin City on Thursday, 24 July, the Executive Director of ANEEJ, Rev. David Ugolor urged participants made up of civil society actors and media practitioners, to continually use the provisions of the FOI Act to access information from public institutions in their investigations and advocacy, adding that the Supreme Court has settled the challenge of nonapplicability of the law in states in its landmark judgment of 11 April, 2025, which affirmed that the FOI Act applies to all tiers of government, including states and local governments.
While noting that the meeting which was organised as part of the implementation of the Civil Society Advocacy to Strengthen Anti-corruption Reforms in Nigeria (CASARN) project in collaboration with the Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption (RoLAC 11) programme, Rev. Ugolor who was represented by the Deputy Executive Director of ANEEJ, Comrade Leo Atakpu pointed out that the strategy meeting is designed to be more than a conversation; adding that, “It is a strategic platform to build consensus, deepen awareness, and collectively shape a pathway for the full implementation of the FOI Act at the subnational level. It is also an opportunity to forge constructive engagement with key government institutions.”
The Civil Society Advocacy to Strengthen Anti-corruption Reforms in Nigeria (CASARN) project being implemented by ANEEJ is a component of the Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption (RoLAC Il) programme which is being implemented by the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA) with funding from the European Union (EU).
While highlighting the goal and focus of the CASARN project, Ugolor pointed out that the challenges which confronted the effective utilisation of the FOI Act by CSOs and media practitioners at the subnational level has been resolved by the Supreme Court.
“The goal of the CASARN project is to contribute to reducing corruption in Nigeria through civil society advocacy by strengthening systems, improving service delivery, and supporting anti-corruption reforms.
“The one-year project is being implemented in Edo State at the sub-national level and in Abuja at the national level.
“It also focuses on strengthening anti-corruption reforms by assessing the management framework and effectiveness of ACTUs in federal MDAs, promoting MDAs compliance with open contracting the Nigeria Open Contracting Portal (NOCOPO), advocating for the passage of the whistleblower protection bill, and advancing anti-corruption efforts at the subnational level through initiatives like the OGP, EDSIAS and FOI.
” Since its passage in 2011, the Freedom of Information Act presented a great opportunity to expand access to information in Nigeria. The implementation has not been without challenges as many States resisted FOI requests made by civil society organisations and other interest groups insisting that the FOI Act was only applicable to federal MDAs since it was passed by the national assembly.
“Challenges such as a culture of secrecy in public institutions, poor record-keeping, limited citizen awareness, and weak enforcement continue to hinder its effective implementation.
“In this regard, the recent landmark ruling by the Supreme Court on April 11, 2025, affirming that the FOI Act applies to all tiers of government including states and local governments is not only timely, but transformative.
“It laid to rest all controversies regarding the applicability of FOI Act to sub-national government and provides a renewed legal foundation upon which we must collectively test the applicability of the legislation in accessing information from public institutions and some category of private organizations”, he said.
While thanking International IDEA and the European Union for their financial and technical support in the implementation of the project, Ugolor assured of ANEEJ’s continued partnership with other stakeholders in the implementation of the project.
“We sincerely thank you all for the support and cooperation we have received since the project inception. We are committed to sustaining this partnership as we work together to deliver the project’s goals. Your continued support and collaboration remain central to our collective success. We wish to also express our deep appreciation to the European Union and International IDEA for supporting ANEEJ on this project.”
In his remarks, the Edo State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Rt. Hon. Samson Osagie pointed out that the Monday Okpebholo led Edo State government believe that the right of access to public information is not a privilege to be granted at the discretion of the state, but a right that flows from the sovereignty of the people and affirmed the state government’s readiness to constructively engage with civil society and the media towards the implementation of the FOI Act.
While assuring of the state government’s commitment to initiate and implement reforms that promote transparency, public accountability and citizen participation; the Attorney General who was represented by Festus Usiobaifo (Esq), a legal officer in his ministry however cautioned that access to information must serve the public good and not to be a tool for sensationalism or abuse.
“However, this must be done within the framework of constitutional safeguards, institutional capacity, and responsible journalism.
“Access to information must serve the public good not be a tool for sensationalism or abuse.
“We are already exploring digital systems that can ease public access to data and records held by government institutions.
“This meeting, therefore, presents an opportunity to deepen synergy, harmonize strategies, and reaffirm our collective resolve to make openness and accountability the defining attributes of governance in Nigeria.
“As we proceed with today’s discussions, let us remember that the FOI Act is not merely a legal instrument, it is a moral compass. It tells the story of a government that is not afraid of being questioned, a society that thrives on facts, and a people who are empowered to hold leaders accountable.
“Let this meeting be a spark for renewed commitment, honest engagement, and above all, measurable progress.”
In her remarks, the Edo State Coordinator of RoLAC, Ms Uche Nwokedi underlined the importance of the FOI Act in promoting accountability, transparency and citizen participation in governance.
She noted that the recent Supreme Court judgement on its applicability in all tiers of government has helped to surmount the legal encumbrances that have been challenging the full implementation of the FOI Act,adding that it is now a new era in the deployment of FOI Act by CSOs, media and members of the public.
“For the FOI Act to work and get the desired result, there should be collaboration between CSOs and Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of government. While the CSOs have the key role of promoting awareness, demanding for information, the MDAs have to support the culture of openness and be willing to give out these information whenever the demand comes up from anybody, including CSOs.”
About 40 participants drawn from the media,Civil Society Organisations, Community Based Organisations and Faith-Based Organisations attended the strategy meeting.